kidder



Inventor.

Patented Feb. 16, 1897.;

W. E. KIDDER. FOLDING CHAIR 0R SBTTBE.

(No Model.)

W it nesses.

Attorney.

M, iCMW (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2'.

W. E. KIDDER, FOLDING CHAIR 0R SBTTEE.

No. 577,106. PatentedPeb.'16, 1897. I

nventor. W ltnesses. I

Attorney.

UNITED STATES PATENT @rricn.

VILLIAM E. KIDDER, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE KALA HAZOO SLED COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

FOLDING CHAIR OR SETTEE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 577,106, dated February 16, 1897. Application filed August 5,1896. Serial No. 6 01,7'79w No model.)

To all 107L012), it nuty concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. KIDDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalama- 5 zoo and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Chairs or Settees, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in i chairs or settees.

The object of my invention is to provide a chair simple in construction which shall automatically lock itself in the folded and unfolded positions and which shall fold very I compactly together.

Further objects will appear in the detailed description.

I accomplish the objects of this invention by the devices and means described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective View of a folding chair embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, the dot-ted lines 2 5 showing the chair in a partly-folded position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional elevation showing the chair in the folded position. Fig. t is an enlarged detailed sectional view on line 4: 4 of Fig. 2 through one side of the chair.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a settee embodying my invention. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view showing the position of parts to lock the chair in the open position, the relation of the pivots clearly appearing in rela- 3 5 tion to straight line an. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view showing the position of the parts to lock the chair in the folded position, the relation of the pivots again clearly appear ing in relation to the straight line '17, n.

40 Similar letters of reference refer to similar partsthroughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, A represents the back of the chair, which consists of two side pieces joined together by 5 the usual slats or rounds. These side pieces of the back extend downwardly and forwardly and form the forward legs when the chair is in use. Bars B B, connected together by suitable rounds, are pivoted atD to the side pieces 5o er back A. Pivoted to the front ends of the side pieces Bis the seat portion. This is made up of cleats E on the under side and slats C over the same. The cleats E are pivoted on the inside of the two legs B B. A cleat F is across the back side of the chair at the proper 5 5 height to form a rest for the back of the seat. The cleats E are preferably notched at F to locate the same over the strip F to give rigidity to the chair, though this notch is not absolutely necessary in this construction. A link connection G is pivoted at I to the inside of the side'pieces of the back of the chair and at I to the outside of the cleats E. A link Gis supplied for each side of the chair. These links brace the chair and by their connection lock the same in the open position and serve as guides to the seat when the chair is being folded and prevent rubbing and chafing of the parts.

The dotted lines in Fig. 2 indicate definitely the manner of folding the chair and demonstrate that the parts of the same do not rub together to mar the finish on the same.

An inspection of Fig. 3 will also show that when the chair is in the folded position, owing 7 5 to the arrangement of parts, the chair folds into the compass of the thickness of the back plus the thickness of the slats on the seat,making a very compact chair when folded.

An examination of Figs. 6 and 7 will clearly indicate the way in which the chair is automatically locked in the open and in the closed positions.

In Fig. 6 it will be noted that the pivot I at the outer end of link G has passed the cen- 8 5 ter between pivot I and the pivotal connection at the outer or front edge of the seat. The chair can then only be folded by raisin gthe back edge of the seat, and is practically locked for all purposes as a chair.

In Fig. 7 it will be noted that the pivot connecting the front of the chair has passed the center between the pivots I and I, or that I has passed the center of the other two pivots named,which is the same thing, and the chair is locked in the folded position for all practical purposes,because folding chairs become accidentally unfolded from the top of the seat being forced out, which is the natural tendency of the seat. This natural tendency is here utilized to keep the chair folded. It will be noted in this construction also that the slat-s on the seat itself can be curved into almost any form desired without materially adding to the thickness of the folded chair. This is also demonstrated by an inspection of Figs. 2 and 3. The slats O can be lengthened to any extent within the limits of the strength of a suitable material, and thus a practical folding se ttee is formed, as is clearly indicated by Fig. 5 of the drawings.

The side pieces of the back A and the legs B can be curved in any appropriate form when so desired, and other similar variations will no doubt suggest themselves to those familiar with the art to which this invention pertains.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is V V 1. In a folding chair or settee, the combination of a suitable back A, having side pieces extendingdownwardly and forwardly to form the front legs thereof; cross-pieces B, B, suitably connected and pivoted between the side pieces of the back A, to form the rear legs and support the front of the seat; a strip F, on the rear side of the back A, at the height of the rear of the seat, to support the same; a seat made up of cleats E,with slats G, thereon, the cleats E, of which are pivoted between the front ends of the side pieces B, and have notches F, to engage the strip F; link conneetions pivoted inside of the side pieces of the back at I, and extended forwardly and pivoted at I, to the outside of the cleats E, so positioned that in extending the chair, the pivot 1 passes a line through the center of the pivot at the front of the seat and the rear of the links, to lock the chair automatically in position, and so that when the chair is folded, the pivot 1 passes a line through the same pivots to lock the chair automatically in the closed position; all eoacting together substantially as described for the purpose specified.

2. In a folding chair or settee, the combination of a suitable back A, having side pieces.

extending downwardly and forwardly to form the front legs thereof; cross-pieces B, B, suitably connected together and pivoted between the side pieces of the back A, and forming the rear legs thereof; a strip F, on the back A, at the height of the rear of the seat to sup port the same; a seat pivoted between the front ends of the side pieces B; link connections G, pivoted inside of the side pieces of the back at I, and extended forwardly and pivoted to the seat, so positioned that in extending the chair, the pivot I passes a line through the center of the pivot at the front of the seat and the rear of the links to lock the chair automatically in position, and so that when the chair is folded, the pivot I passes a line through the same pivots to lock the chair automatically in the closed position; all coacting together substantially as described for the purpose specified.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and sealin the presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIAM E. KIDDER. [n s] Vitnesses:

'VANE E. CHAPPELL, WALTER S. W001). 

